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Monday, January 11, 2016

Making Our Escape

After almost 6 months in Virginia, between the repairs and seemingly never-ending project, it was starting to feel like we would never be able to escape Virginia. After finally getting the top on the boat, the other systems decided they needed a little attention too. Once we finally got everything on the boat happy enough to go, it seemed that the weather once gain wanted to test my patience. Gail warnings, 5 foot waves on a 5 second period, and small craft advisories all suddenly appeared to delay our departure.

But we finally did it. We finally escaped Severn Yachting Center. We were up before dawn. It was 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind was about 10 knots, but well down from the 35+ knots the day before. The engines started right up even though they were cold. We did our last checks, untied the lines, and were finally on our way.

I even bought a cheesy yellow knit cap to aid in the escape.

Turning out of the marina, the wind was at our backs and with the sun on our faces, the temperature didn't feel as bad as I had feared. We left Mobjack bay and headed south toward Hampton Roads. The wind was on our beam and it probably would have been an OK sail, but we ended up motor sailing most of the time on the bay. Pure sailing would have slowed us down and our goal here is to make tracks south as fast as possible. Even if it costs us a bit of fuel.

We arrived in Norfolk around 1:30 PM. Unfortunately, we were fighting the outgoing tide the entire way, making as little as 3 knots through most of the area. As a result, we ended up getting caught at a bridge in Norfolk that opens on the hour, except for rush hour times. We didn't make it through the Gilmerton bridge until 5:30 PM. The sun had already set and the dark was starting to creep in.

Fortunately we made it to the marina that is our stop for the night before the last rays of light had completely faded. Unfortunately, it wasn't until after the marina had closed for the evening. They apparently don't have 24 hour access facilities here. But the one thing we really wanted, shore power so we could run heaters, was available. After a couple of attempts at backing into a slip with a cross current, we had the boat tied off for the evening.

While it was cold and a bit trying at times, it feels good to be moving south after so long.

Hi Mike,So Top Rack Marina wasn't opened after 5:30 pm? Have an aunt who has done ICW many times and encountered similar situations late in the season. So you're wearing high visibility yellow.Hope you are many miles further south this evening. Warmer Savannah is only 400 miles or so and it should get a few degrees warmer every 150 milesDoug in VT

...That's the plan anyway

With no sailing experience and coming from a land-locked state, we intend to give up successful careers and embark on a more minimalistic and lower impact lifestyle living on a sailboat. Come along as we attempt to sail away from the rat race.

About Me

I'm an ex-software engineer living with my wife and two spoiled dogs. I hold a private pilots license and in the past owned a small, single engine aircraft. My wife and I are both PADI certified open water scuba divers.
When we started this sailing adventure, other than being passengers, we had no experience on a sailboat. We've taken sailing lessons through the ASA programs in both Colorado and Florida. In December 2013 we purchased our floating home, a 1999 Leopard 38, and in April of 2015 we sold our house and moved aboard.